PROTEST

06.12.12

Thousands Join Anti-Putin Rally

Sergei Ilnitsky, EPA / Landov

Tens of thousands of Russians on Tuesday protested Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite his government’s efforts a day before to quell the demonstration by raiding the homes of prominent protest leaders. Organizers estimated that 100,000 people were in the streets, while police, known for fudging the numbers, said it was only 18,000. On Monday, Russian authorities seized laptops, anti-Kremlin material, and more than a million in cash as protest leaders were called in for questioning on Tuesday. Last week, the Russian Parliament passed a new law that raised fines by a factor of 100 on any protests that break the rules. Since Putin took office in March for a third term as president, tens of thousands have protested—although crowds have yet to reach the level of a spontaneous demonstration in December.